Yvan charged over and yanked me by the cor, his eyes burning with anger as he yelled, "Spill it! Who are you? How do you know Alina? Did something happen to her? Spill it now!"


    His menacing stance scared me so much that I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I couldn''t get a word out.


    Things were getting tense when suddenly, a cold voice came behind me. "Let her go."


    I nced over my shoulder and saw Ethan. He had shown up behind me at some point, ring at Yvan with a cold, lethal stare.


    Yvan looked shaken by Ethan''s presence. He loosened his grip with a nervousugh and stammered, "M-Mr. Grayson, let me exin. I didn''t mean to offend her."


    Ethan snorted. "Save your breath. I heard everything. All she did was ask you a few questions, and you lost it. That''s not how you''re supposed to act. And this is a charity g. Get it together."


    Yvan''s face drained of color, and he dared not say a word. He left in embarrassment.


    Still shaken, I stared at Ethan, too stunned to think about thanking him.


    He turned to me, his sharp eyes scanning my face. His voice was icy. "Are you alright?"


    It took me a second to snap out of it, and I nodded quickly. "T-Thank you. I''d be in real trouble if you hadn''t stepped in."


    I wasn''t sure why, but I always got nervous around him.


    "It''s nothing," Ethan said tly. "Aren''t you a reporter? Act professional. Don''t just barge in with questions. You''ve got to know when to hold back and not piss people off."


    I went still, then realized he was just trying to remind me. Embarrassed, I quickly nodded and agreed.


    Ethan didn''t say anything else. He turned and walked away, his tall frame disappearing into the crowd, leaving me standing there with my mind racing.


    Only then did I realize that the whole dramatic scene had somehow gonepletely unnoticed. The charity g carried on as if nothing had happened, with sses clinking and people happily chatting.


    I looked around in a daze, feeling like I''d stepped into a different world t wasn''t until Madison rushed over, pulled me aside, and quietly asked what happened that I snapped back to reality.


    "I''m fine. Close call, but I''m good," I said with a wry smile. "Thanks to Ethan, or it could''ve turned out worse."


    Madison sighed in relief but gave me a curious look. "You and Ethan are close?"


    I shook my head and sighed. "It''s a long story. Anyway, I acted on a whim, and luckily, he was there to have my back."


    Madison nodded. Suddenly, her expression tensed, and she whispered, "Evelyn, check that out!"


    I followed her gaze and saw Yvan slipping out of the banquet hall, looking like he was sneaking off somewhere.


    Something stirred in my chest, and gave Madison a look. She


    l.ne


    immediately caught on and got up to I


    follow him. I hung back a betly


    trailing behind.


    Yvan walked quickly, heading straight to the hotel''s back alley. It was poorly lit and looked sketchy.


    Madison and I held our breath, staying hidden in the shadows as we watched.


    Yvan met up with a guy wearing sunsses. They exchanged a few words, then Yvan pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it over.


    The guy counted its contents, nodded at him, and disappeared into the shadows.